Definition of Spinal fusion

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Spinal fusion: A surgical procedure in which two or more of the vertebrae in the spine are united together so that motion no longer occurs between them.

Bone grafts are usually placed around the section of the spine to be fused. The body then heals the grafts over several months which joins the vertebrae together. The bone for the graft may be taken from another bone in the patient (autograft) or from a bone bank (allograft). Metal rods, plates, screws and cages may also be used as an internal splint to hold the vertebrae together while the bone grafts heal and the spine fuses.

Spinal fusion may be done for a number of reasons. For one, scoliosis (an S-shaped curve of the spine) may be treated with fusion. So may a hairline fracture that permits vertebrae to slip forward on top of each other (spondylolisthesis). And cervical disc herniations may be treated by removal of the herniated disc (discectomy) and fusion. The use of spinal fusion to treat some forms of lower back pain is controversial.

After spinal fusion, there are usually some restrictions in activity for a time and then a rehabilitation program to be followed.